Prime Minister Netanyahu. US Secretary of State Kerry
Photo: EPA/Flash 90
American-Jewish leaders send PM letter supporting peace
From politicians, to rabbis, to philanthropist, over 150 prominent US Jewish leaders sent Netanyahu a letter expressing their support of the two-state peace solution, and praising Kerry for his efforts
A letter
signed by prominent Jewish leaders from a wide array of positions in the US was passed on to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
in a bid to support the peace process and a two-state solution.
The Israel Policy Forum delivered the letter Netanyahu on Wednesday on the behalf of some 150 prominent Jewish leaders from the US. In the letter, the signatories wrote urge Netanyahu not give up on talks in pursuit of a two-state peace solution.
The letter, published by HuffPost Religion, included Jewish community leaders, leading philanthropists, activists, scholars, rabbis, former US officials and businesspeople. In the letter, the signatories also praised US Secretary of State John Kerry on his "extraordinary resolve" in promoting the peace process and keeping Israel's security in mind, the letter read.
Among the signatories was former senior advisor to Bill Clinton and US President Obama, David Axelrod, jurist and Israel advocate Alan Dershowitz, leading Jewish philanthropists and beverage magnates Charles and Daniel Bronfman.
Susie and Michael Gelman, chairs of the Jewish Federation of North America, and its national campaign leader Susan K. Stern, also signed the letter, along with Rabbi Richard Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, and its previous president Rabbi Eric Yoffie. Other rabbi signatories were Rabbi Marc Schneier and Rabbi Edward Feinstein.
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu:
At this critical juncture for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, we write to express the sentiment of a broad cross-section of the American Jewish community in support of your continued efforts to pursue a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on two states for two peoples.
As American advocates for a strong, Jewish and democratic Israel, we have been heartened by Secretary of State John Kerry’s extraordinary resolve to advance this process consistent with America's unwavering commitment to Israel's security. We believe Secretary Kerry’s determined diplomatic effort offers an unprecedented opportunity to ensure Israel’s security, to enhance its prosperity, and to avoid the existential threat to the Jewish state posed by bi-nationalism.
It is our hope that President Mahmoud Abbas will join you in demonstrating leadership to advance these talks. By moving forward at this time, we believe that the Palestinian leadership will be challenged to make important compromises, to end incitement and to demonstrate a genuine preparedness to live in peace alongside the nation-state of the Jewish people.
Mr. Prime Minister, at this pivotal moment of decision-making, we offer our support and encouragement as you move forward to pursue a lasting agreement that will protect Israel’s security as a homeland for the Jewish people.
Download full letter
